And good morning everyone this is an ABC news digital special report and Paula -- would developing NASCAR news star Tony -- who had planned on racing later today at Watkins Glen. Despite being involved in a shocking accident that left another driver dead. At a track in upstate new York and happened overnight during what's called a sprint car race. -- struck and killed a driver who had gotten out of his car. Up you're really angry at -- after race -- out we'll bad driver was Kevin ward junior who was just twenty years old his family was there to witness the tragedy. And NASCAR holding a special press covers just moments ago. Making the decision as a group saying Stuart will not drive today. We know that. It's just an unbelievable tragedy. -- growth to -- to -- in this family. Thoughts and prayers this is there's a very tough very emotional time for everybody. His family multifamily Stewart Haas. Tony Stewart -- you know what that being said we feel that as a group. Tony will not drive today. Regan Smith is on his way up. NASCAR has approved for him to get in the race -- today. They're doing they -- to help us expedite getting his seat in them. And comfortable. -- so let's kind of we've been -- we're working on this morning and and and trying to get executed is. -- -- -- And now I'm obviously. And we can do for fun for Tony and everybody -- this is just like -- -- it's it's an emotional time right now. It will open up for questions -- will preface it this way we're we're gonna talk about the need to again NASCAR calling -- just a terrible tragedy to unbelievable tragedy again Tony Stewart will not race today at Watkins Glen. NASCAR making the decision as a group Stuart had said earlier that he planned on -- -- -- -- that he was ready to go despite that terrible accident overnight. -- is cooperating however. With the investigation fully and be sure to stay tuned to abcnews.com. Throughout the day for all the latest updates on this story. And this evening on world news thanks for watching this ABC news digital special report. I'm -- -- enjoy your day everybody.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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